Posted on 11/30/2011 5:18:31 AM PST by Saundra Duffy
Known to some is the fact that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or Mormon Church) wear a special kind of underwear in connection with their religion. This is true of most faithful adult members of the Church. (Mormon children are generally dressed the same as any other children.) The special underwear is called a "garment" by Mormons, and it is directly related to Mormon temples.
Garments are a symbolic gesture of the promises that Mormons have made to God. The garment is always worn under other clothing, next to the skin. In fact, for most people who wear it, the garment takes the place of regular underwear. Mormons begin wearing it during their first visit to the temple, wherein they receive individual instruction on how the garment should be worn and cared for, and furthermore, they undergo a sacred ceremony called the temple endowment. Solely during this ritual, additional special clothing is put on; by contrast, the garment or special underwear is worn at all times, both day and night, from then on. It serves as a constant reminder of the covenants made during the temple endowment.
Mormons believe in being "in the world, but not of it," and the garment helps in privately yet consistently setting temple-going Mormons apart from the world. A particularly sharp contrast is felt in today's society, where morals and modesty have deteriorated to a most horrific degree. Many moviemakers and clothing manufacturers, for example, design their respective products to reveal so much of the human body that virtually nothing is left to the imagination. Mormons, on the other hand, are encouraged through the modest length and cut of their temple-got garments to always dress appropriately. Devout Mormons further understand that in only a very few instances might the garment be removed, such as for swimming, using the bathroom, or being intimate in marriage. The reasons for keeping the garment on far outweigh the reasons for taking it off.
The special Mormon underwear consists of a top and bottom piece, and it is made from a variety of lightweight fabrics. There are some special colored temple garments that can be worn by members of the armed services, but for the vast majority of Mormons, garments are always white. This symbolizes physical and spiritual purity. It fosters a mindset of continual obedience to the Lord, which is crucial in keeping the covenants entered into in the temple. Through such obedience, a person can find physical and spiritual protection. The Lord God is enabled to grant promised blessings, fulfilling His side of the temple covenants. Thus, the garment is sacred to the wearer not for what it is, but for what it represents. The garment helps the wearer to focus his or her life on Jesus Christ and to thereby lay claim to the blessings promised to those who do so.
Mormons are not unique in the wearing of special clothing for religious purposes. Perhaps the most well-known example is the yarmulke, which is worn at special times by many Jewish men or at all times by devout orthodox Jews. Similarly, in some religions a minister or priest might wear a special collar that has religious significance, or nuns may wear special clothing that signifies the religious order to which they belong. In all cases the special clothing reflects the religious conviction of the wearer.
There is a historical precedent for wearing religious clothing. Mormons emphasize the fact that Adam and Eve wore clothing that was made for them by God before they left the Garden of Eden. Genesis 3:21 states that "unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them." Mormons believe that such clothing was provided as part of the religious instruction given to Adam and Eve by God. This is the same context in which Mormons receive the garment: as part of the religious instruction contained within the temple endowment.
Other religious figures throughout history have also worn special clothing as they performed their religious duties. For instance, Moses was commanded by the Lord (as recorded in Exodus 28:1-3) to place holy garments and priestly vestments upon Aaron and others in preparation for officiating in the tabernacle.
There is no professional clergy in the Mormon Church, so in some ways the garment serves as a symbol of the lay clergy, where both men and women share in the responsibilities and blessings of the priesthood, particularly in the temple.
For more information visit Mormon Underwear.
on earth we do things like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NCZ4l8FCFc
The LDS are a covenant people wear things to remind them daily of the commitment they made with the Lord.
there are endless distractions in the world today.
I am sure here some take their wedding ring covenant seriously!
BTW who are you to make judgment calls of what is or not between God’s covenant children!
The Old Testament and the Book of Mormon testify of the Lord covenants which seems to be absent from the mainstream faiths to actknowledge the covenants in New Testament.
Isaiah 49
5 ¶And now, saith the Lord that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength.
6 And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
7 Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the Lord that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.
8 Thus saith the Lord, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;
9 That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves. They shall feed in the ways, and their pastures shall be in all high places.
10 They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.
1 Nephi 15:14
14 And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of Israel, and that they are the covenant people of the Lord; and then shall they know and come to the knowledge of their forefathers, and also to the knowledge of the gospel of their Redeemer, which was ministered unto their fathers by him; wherefore, they shall come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved.
Hebrew 13
15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.
18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live honestly.
19 But I beseech you the rather to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.
20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
21 Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words.
23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he come shortly, I will see you.
24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.
25 Grace be with you all. Amen.
Aw shucks...bless you!
I know when I was a child in school in the 50’s I saw a lot of my school mates where Scapulars.
There is nothing wrong with wearing things that help remind one of who they are and that the Lord is counting on them to be a better people!
Meaning to be honorable or being honor in all their doings!
What is interesting about these lds propaganda pieces is how they ‘soften’ the discussion to minimalist proportions. Take the claim that other ‘religious’ people wear special articles of clothing too. In just about every case cited or citable, the item is worn VISIBLE TO THE WORLD, or at least can be. Mormons keep theirs hidden.
But one must ask the question - do ALL lds wear the undies? The answer is a resounding NO, only those with a temple recommend and who have gone through their endowments - a required step towards godhood - wear them. Facts are there are only less than 20% of mormons who have been deemed ‘worthy’ enough to earn their temple recommend.
The article also leaves out other detail such as the special markings on the underware. Mormons sometimes get riled because of the ‘sacred’ nature of the markings, (hence the probable notification of the RM and the tendency to have any images of the underware “pulled”), but facts and history show that smith plagerized the endowment ceremony from the Masons and incorporated some of the symbols on the underware. They have embroidered the compass and square - classic masonic symbols. This would look like small zigzag stitching to form a “V” on the left breast and a “L” on the right breast of the garment. There is also a small stitched line at the bellybutton and the right knee. These are on both the men’s and the women’s underwear. Anyone interested can see a picture here:
http://www.getreligion.org/wp-content/photos/Garment.jpg
Finally, the article understates another fact - that the underwear is to be “a shield and a protection” to the faithful wearer (so says the LDS endowment ceremony). Early LDS teachings touting the physical protection offered by these garments has given birth in these latter latter-days to Mormon folklore recounting stories of miraculous protection from harm and preservation of life for those wearing the garments. This reflects the magic embedded in early mormonism from smith’s own dabblings in the occult and mysticism.
So far the statements have been factual - although I’m sure SD will cry ‘hate and bigotry’ - so look them up for yourselves.
One must ask for a group that claims to be ‘christian’ but rejects the wearing of a cross, why they would adopt symbols used by the Masons and Satanists?
You have a right to your personal reaction but for the life of me what is it in a persons demeanor makes them what to offen others for the hell of it!
Where is that small voice that says I should not say that because I will wound another and as a child of God I would not want to do that.
I also know the Lord knows more about this situation than my finite mind.
Mary was a virgin because of being the mother of Jesus even if she had other children afterwards.
I can see where the title would still fit because of the original extraordinary circumstance.
That title can not be taken way!
Where is that small voice that says I should not say
Totally agree....
WHERE is it????
Hateful bigot ping..........
So because man is imperfect you choose to drop out!
the relationship with the Lord is a one on one that is the only way one can get a testimony
example we are like a diamond in ruff and need to go through the refiners fire to be perfected.
All are in a probationary state
It is the Lord who is our tutor not man yes the Lord has chosen vessel to guide and lead us as a whole like prophets and apostles etc but it is the one on one with the Lord (pondering, praying and acting) that determines your place in the scheme of things
Nothing is sweeter that the witness by the power of the Holy Ghost aka the spirit of the Lord.
I share this because it is up to us to find out for our selves.
Increase Learning
http://deseretbook.com/Increase-Learning-David-Bednar/i/5072000
forget titles just seek for truth!
“Mormons keep theirs hidden.”
Do you run around in your underwear? Devout Jews wear their garment hidden from view.
Why does this bother you so much?
I have been blessed and impressed by many of the posts from people who have open minds and open hearts.
“I can make fun of that all day, every day for the rest of my life.”
Yes, you can, but one wonders why you would want to. As for “becoming gods” - I don’t know what the heck you are talking about but I do know that Believers will become “joint heirs with Christ”.
I think it’s kind of creepy that people care what kind of underwear other people are wearing.
“A special undergarment is one of the five symbols of the Sikh religion.”
I did not know that. I saw a Sikh family at Starbucks in Colfax CA last Saturday. Some of them had a box of some kind on their foreheads. We struck up a conversation and there was a baby Sikh running around looking real cute. There are many Sikh’s in Fresno area but to my shame I do not know many of them personally. I hear they are wonderful sweet people.
Thank you for your post.
the phrase “for the hell it” is use when one is expressing things from the opposition.
To do something contrary to the ways of the Lord is HELL!
Your statement is a total dichotomy. But of course you can't say anything other...or you would be against LDS, Inc.
Sad really....That you are stuck to men, and can't remove yourself..to embrace Jesus Christ totally and wholly!
You are one of two things here.
A liar....or blind.
Then you are very contrary.......
“I have read a lot of information put out by the morman church and they have been led down a path to a false religion. “
The Baptists think that about the Pentecostals and vice versa. The Evangelicals think that about the Catholics and vice versa. In fact, the Pharisees and Saducees accused Jesus Christ of following after satan and a “false religion”.
We Mormons have been condemned to hell by Rick Perry’s pastor friend (who claims to represent ALL Southern Baptists) - condemned to hell along with the Catholics and Jews and everyone else who does not believe exactly the way they believe.
What else is new? Yawn.
Meanwhile, Jesus Christ is my Savior who suffered and died for me to save me from my sins. My Savior does not condemn me; He is my Advocate with the Father; and the Holy Ghost is my Witness. Amen.
this does not make sense the Lord down through the ages has had those who speak for him.
But man’s salvation depends upon his one on one with the Lord.
We are not saved as a collectived group.
Malachi 3:2
2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:
3 Nephi 24:2
2 But who may abide the day of his coming, and who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap.
Doctrine and Covenants 128:24
24 Behold, the great day of the Lord is at hand; and who can abide the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fuller’s soap; and he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Let us, therefore, as a church and a people, and as Latter-day Saints, offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness; and let us present in his holy temple, when it is finished, a book containing the records of our dead, which shall be worthy of all acceptation.
Refiner
Refiner. A man who separates the precious metals from the dross with which in nature they are usually found mixed. Part of the process consists in the application of great heat, in order to bring the mass into a fluid state, hence the term “refiner’s fire.” Christ is the great Refiner. See Isa. 1:25; 48:10; Zech. 13:9; Mal. 3:2–3.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
